Age and Disability Affect Dietary Intake

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to provide information on dietary intake in the InCHIANTI study population, a representative sample (n = 1453) of persons living in two towns of Tuscany (Italy), including a large number of old and very old individuals (79.5% >65 y old). We also investigated whether difficulties in nutrition-related activities were associated with inadequate intake of selected nutrients. The percentage of persons with an inadequate intake of nutrients according to Italian Recommended Nutrients Levels (LARN) was higher in the older age groups. Older persons tended to adapt their diets in response to individual functional difficulties, often leading to monotonous food consumption and, as a consequence, to inadequate nutrient intakes. Multiple logistic models were used to evaluate whether inadequate intake of selected nutrients could be predicted by nutrition-related difficulties. Reporting difficulties in three or more nutrition-related activities (chewing, self-feeding, shopping for basic necessities, carrying a shopping bag, cooking a warm meal, using fingers to grasp or handle) significantly increased the risk of inadequate intake of energy [odds ratio (OR) = 3.8, 95% CI = 1.9-7.8) and vitamin C (OR = 2.2, 95% CI = 1.2-4.2, after adjustment for energy intake). More attention to functional problems in the elderly population and the provision of formal or informal help to those who have difficulty in purchasing, processing and eating food may reduce, at least in part, the percentage of older persons with poor nutrition.

Eating habits in elderly diabetic subjects: Assessment in the InCHIANTI Study

“…The second limitation is that the population studied is mostly composed of people in advanced age. Thus, taking into account differences in dietary intake that occur with aging [15], these results cannot be automatically extended to younger subjects. The third limitation is represented by the cross-sectional nature of the analysis; a prospective survey on modifications of dietary habits after the diagnosis of diabetes could have been more informative.…”

Risk factors for dietary variety decline among Japanese elderly in a rural community: a 8-year follow-up study from TMIG-LISA

“…A large number of studies have clearly demonstrated that self-perceived chewing ability is very important for the maintenance of good dietary habits in the elderly (Sheiham et al, 1999;Osterberg et al, 2002;Bartali et al, 2003). Furthermore, Gordon et al (1985) suggest that the presence of self-perceived chewing problems often is an indicator of altered food selection patterns in these older individuals, and that this may be a more reliable indicator than the quality of the dentition itself.…”

The role of nutrition in the prevention of sarcopenia

“…After adjusting for energy intake, also a low intake of protein, vitamin D, E, C, folate and a low intake of more than 3 nutrients at the same time, were significantly related to frailty. In the same study, an inadequate intake of energy was related to functional nutrition related problems like difficulties with chewing, self-feeding, shopping, carrying a shopping bag or cooking [8].…”